Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD. Year after yearThis phrase emphasizes the regularity and faithfulness of Elkanah's worship practices. In the Hebrew context, this indicates a deep commitment to the religious customs and a steadfast dedication to God. The repetition of this pilgrimage underscores the importance of consistent worship and the rhythm of spiritual life in ancient Israel. It serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance in faith and the blessings that come from regular communion with God. this man
Referring to Elkanah, the husband of Hannah and father of Samuel. Elkanah is portrayed as a devout man, setting an example for his family and community. His actions reflect the patriarchal structure of the time, where the head of the household led in spiritual matters. This highlights the role of spiritual leadership within the family, a principle that remains significant in conservative Christian teachings. would go up
The phrase "go up" is significant in the Hebrew context, as it often refers to ascending to a place of worship, both physically and spiritually. Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located, was on higher ground, symbolizing the act of drawing closer to God. This ascent is a metaphor for spiritual elevation and the journey towards holiness, encouraging believers to seek higher spiritual ground in their own lives. from his city
Elkanah's journey from his city to Shiloh illustrates the practice of pilgrimage, a common aspect of ancient Israelite worship. This journey signifies leaving behind the mundane and entering a sacred space, a concept that resonates with the Christian idea of setting aside time and space for God. It also reflects the communal aspect of worship, as people from various cities would gather together in Shiloh. to worship and sacrifice
Worship and sacrifice were central to the religious life of Israel. Worship involved acts of devotion and reverence, while sacrifice was a tangible expression of faith and obedience. The Hebrew word for worship, "shachah," implies bowing down or prostrating oneself, indicating humility before God. Sacrifice, often involving animals, was a means of atonement and thanksgiving, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ in the New Testament. to the LORD of Hosts
This title for God, "LORD of Hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth), emphasizes His sovereignty and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. It reflects God's majesty and authority, reassuring believers of His control over all circumstances. This name for God is a reminder of His protection and provision, encouraging trust and reliance on His strength. at Shiloh
Shiloh was the religious center of Israel before the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital. It housed the tabernacle, the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The historical and archaeological significance of Shiloh underscores its role as a focal point of worship and a symbol of God's covenant with Israel. It serves as a reminder of the importance of sacred spaces in fostering a connection with the divine. where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests
Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests serving at Shiloh. Their presence in the narrative foreshadows the corruption and moral decline that would later be revealed. This highlights the importance of integrity and righteousness in spiritual leadership, a theme that resonates with the call for holiness and accountability in Christian ministry today. to the LORD
The phrase "to the LORD" signifies that the worship and sacrifices were directed towards Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes the personal relationship between God and His people, a relationship based on love, obedience, and faithfulness. This personal connection is central to the Christian faith, where believers are called to live lives dedicated to the Lord, reflecting His character and purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElkanahA devout man who annually traveled to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the LORD. He is the husband of Hannah and father of Samuel. 2. ShilohThe religious center of Israel at the time, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were located. It was the place where Israelites gathered for worship and sacrifices. 3. The LORD of HostsA title for God emphasizing His sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies, highlighting His power and authority. 4. EliThe high priest at Shiloh during this time, overseeing the religious activities and sacrifices. 5. Hophni and PhinehasThe sons of Eli, who served as priests but were known for their corrupt practices, which later led to their downfall. Teaching Points Faithful WorshipElkanah's annual journey to Shiloh demonstrates the importance of regular and faithful worship. Believers today are encouraged to prioritize gathering with the church community for worship and fellowship. God's SovereigntyThe title "LORD of Hosts" reminds us of God's supreme authority and power. In our lives, we can trust in His control over all circumstances. Spiritual LeadershipThe presence of Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas highlights the need for integrity in spiritual leadership. Leaders are called to serve with righteousness and accountability. Perseverance in FaithDespite the corruption of Hophni and Phinehas, Elkanah continued his worship practices. This teaches us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when others around us may falter. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elkanah's commitment to worship at Shiloh challenge our own commitment to regular worship and fellowship with other believers? 2. In what ways can we acknowledge and rely on the LORD of Hosts in our daily lives, especially during challenging times? 3. Considering the roles of Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas, what qualities should we look for in spiritual leaders today? 4. How can we maintain our faith and worship practices when faced with corruption or hypocrisy within the church? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to persevere in your faith despite difficult circumstances. How did God show His sovereignty and faithfulness to you during that time? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 12:5-7This passage outlines the command for Israelites to bring their sacrifices to the place the LORD chooses, which at this time was Shiloh. It emphasizes the importance of centralized worship. Psalm 84:1-2Expresses the psalmist's longing to be in the courts of the LORD, reflecting the devotion and desire for worship seen in Elkanah's actions. Hebrews 10:25Encourages believers not to forsake assembling together, similar to Elkanah's faithful pilgrimage to Shiloh for worship. People Eli, Elihu, Elkanah, Ephah, Hannah, Hophni, Jeroham, Peninnah, Phinehas, Samuel, Tohu, ZuphPlaces Ramah, Ramathaim-zophim, ShilohTopics Almighty, Armies, Bow, Eli, Hophni, Hosts, Offerings, Phinehas, Phin'ehas, Priests, Sacrifice, Shiloh, Sons, Town, Worship, YearlyDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 1:3 1235 God, the LORD
5442 pilgrimage
7435 sacrifice, in OT
7459 tabernacle, in OT
8626 worship, places 1 Samuel 1:1-5 4438 eating 1 Samuel 1:1-8 5717 monogamy 1 Samuel 1:1-20 5225 barrenness
5733 pregnancy 1 Samuel 1:2-7 1651 numbers, 1-2 1 Samuel 1:3-8 4476 meals
4478 meat
5702 husband Library Of Self-Annihilation
Of Self-Annihilation Supplication and sacrifice are comprehended in prayer, which, according to S. John, is "an incense, the smoke whereof ascendeth unto God;" therefore it is said in the Apocalypse that "unto the Angel was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints'' (Chap. viii. 3). Prayer is the effusion of the heart in the Presence of God: "I have poured out my soul before God" saith the mother of Samuel. (1 Sam. i. 15) The prayer of the wise men at the feet of …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of PrayerPrayer and Sacrifice Explained by the Similitude of a Perfume --Our Annihilation in this Sacrifice --Solidity and Fruitfulness of this Prayer as Set Forth in The
Prayer ought to be both petition and sacrifice. Prayer, according to the testimony of St John, is an incense, whose perfume rises to God. Therefore it is said in the Revelation (chap. viii. 3), that an angel held a censer, which contained the incense of the prayers of saints. Prayer is an outpouring of the heart in the presence of God. "I have poured out my soul before the Lord," said the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. i. 15). Thus the prayers of the Magi at the feet of the infant Jesus in the stable of …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents Home Dedication.
"The rose was rich in bloom on Sharon's plain, When a young mother with her first born thence Went up to Zion, for the boy was vowed Unto the Temple-service; by the hand She led him, and her silent soul, the while, Oft as the dewy laughter of his eye Met her sweet serious glance, rejoiced to think That aught so pure, so beautiful, was hers, To bring before her God!" Beautiful thought, and thrice beautiful deed,--fresh from the pure fount of maternal piety! The Hebrew mother consecrating her first-born …
Samuel Philips—The Christian Home John Newton 1Sam 1:10,18
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John Newton—Olney Hymns Hwochow Women's Bible Training School
COURSE OF STUDY FIRST TERM Book of Genesis. Gospel according to St. Luke or St. Mark. Acts of the Apostles, chapters i. to ix. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible." Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese Character. Arithmetic. Singing and Memorisation of Hymns. SECOND TERM Book of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Samuel i. to xvi. The Gospel according to St. John. The Epistle of St James. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(continued). Reading …
A. Mildred Cable—The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's The Love of the Holy Spirit in Us.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not."--Matt. xxvii. 37. The Scripture teaches not only that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and with Him Love, but also that He sheds abroad that Love in our hearts. This shedding abroad does not refer to the coming of the Holy Spirit's Person, for a person can not be shed abroad. He comes, takes possession, and dwells in us; but that which is shed abroad …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible Divers Matters.
I. Beth-cerem, Nehemiah 3:14. "The stones, as well of the altar, as of the ascent to the altar, were from the valley of Beth-cerem, which they digged out beneath the barren land. And thence they are wont to bring whole stones, upon which the working iron came not." The fathers of the traditions, treating concerning the blood of women's terms, reckon up five colours of it; among which that, "which is like the water of the earth, out of the valley of Beth-cerem."--Where the Gloss writes thus, "Beth-cerem …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 1:3 NIV1 Samuel 1:3 NLT1 Samuel 1:3 ESV1 Samuel 1:3 NASB1 Samuel 1:3 KJV
1 Samuel 1:3 Commentaries
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